Last week there was some discussion on one of the local Facebook pages about the horrible accidents that seem to plague the highway between Monte Vista and South Fork.
Ol’ Dutch had recently traversed that minefield of speeding, inattentive, and risk-taking drivers, so I joined into the online discussion.
A dear lady responded about the same kind of experience and when she tried to type in “tourists” her computer substituted “terrorists” and made Ol’ Dutch about bust a gut over the implication.
No matter your reason for being here in The Valley a person does notice the changes that occur when temperatures heat up in Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas.
Parking lots are full, lines form at the local restaurants, gas prices go up, drivers take chances, lakes and ATV trails are packed and last -- but certainly not least for Trixie -- Bingo at Creede is packed to the gills.
For the businesses that depend on this influx of cool air seeking masses this is a great time of year as people on vacation love to spend money generally.
For some locals, though, who are trying to get to work and back there is a certain “pain in the posterior region syndrome” that accompanies this seasonal influx.
Last week, for example, folks on vacation decided to visit a mine area which was clearly posted “No Trespassing.” Some other folks opted to ignore signs and ride their ATVs in places where they were not supposed to be. Ol’ Dutch finds it strange and a tad funny that normally law abiding folk will suddenly become brazen jail bait candidates when they get away from home.
They will drive too fast, park where they are not supposed to, cross other people’s land and keep more fish than the law allows when they get here. Most of them would never think about doing those kinds of things when home and for some reason even good church going folks will break the law willingly when at altitude.
Now Ol’ Dutch was thinking that maybe, just maybe it was the change in atmospheric pressure that caused this defect in their brain box. Though, during the winter when we are in South Padre, elevation four inches above sea level, we see similar things.
Passing on a curve with oncoming traffic which forces everyone else to take the shoulder can only be explained by one thing: “impaired thinking.” No sane person does this and it makes Ol’ Dutch wonder if they maybe had an accident earlier in life that indeed did cause a mental defect in the person’s noggin.
Miss Trixie, ever her discerning self has saved us from certain death many a time with her watchful eye as we drive but I had to wonder even about her last night.
We were invited to our friends Mustang Sally and Trailer Terry to play cards. Ol’ Dutch and his partner were about to win when Miss Trixie asked if she could help her partner with a play.
This same woman who consistently and without any feeling whatsoever beats Ol’ Dutch like a drum at cards suddenly wanted to cheat.
“Impaired thinking” comes in all forms I guess and Ol’ Dutch himself has noticed that the older I get the more it affects me so I do understand more and more what is occurring.
So if you encounter some “impaired thinking” people this week try and remember that it’s a disease of epidemic proportions and soon to be part of your life, too, if you live long enough to catch it.

Kevin Kirkpatrick and his Yorkie, Cooper, fish, hunt, ATV or hike daily. His email is [email protected]. Additional news can be found at www.troutrepublic.com or on Twitter at TroutRepublic.